The efficacy of cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive versus subcuticular suture utilized for wound closure in maxillofacial region: A prospective comparative study

Abstract

Background: Wound closure has evolved with advancements in sutures and materials, yet no single method is ideal for all situations. Surgeons seek the fastest, easiest, and most cosmetically pleasing techniques, with cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive offering benefits like improved cosmesis, versatility, moisture resistance, better patient compliance, and ease of application. Evaluating newer methods against traditional sutures remains crucial. Study objective: To compare and evaluate cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive and subcuticular suture techniques for maxillofacial incision closure in terms of speed, early wound complications, patient cosmetic satisfaction, and scar cosmesis. Method: In a comparative prospective randomized clinical study at Al-Imamain Al-Kadhemain Medical City, patients undergoing maxillofacial surgery were divided into two groups for skin incision closure using tissue adhesive or subcuticular sutures. Postoperative wound healing was assessed at 5 to 10 days, and scar evaluation at 4 months by a blinded plastic surgeon using the Scar Cosmesis Assessment and Rating Scale. Patients' scar satisfaction was measured with a visual analog scale, and data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0. Results: 32 patients, 40 incisions, 20 per group. The tissue adhesive group had a substantially faster mean closure time (106.25±25.43 seconds) compared to the subcuticular suture group (188.40±44.11 seconds) (p